French Conversation · Level 28
89 words
French word
intellectuel
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛ̃telɛktɥɛl/
Meaning
- adjectiveintellectual
Example
Il est très intellectuel.
He is very intellectual.
More examples
Son travail intellectuel demande de la concentration.
His intellectual work requires concentration.
Core concept
A person, idea, or work centered on sustained thought rather than immediate action.
Common phrases
travail intellectuel
intellectual work
débat intellectuel
intellectual debate
milieu intellectuel
intellectual milieu
Similar words
intelligent: Able to understand and solve problems through knowledge and reasoning.
cultivé: Well educated and familiar with scholarship and the arts.
Definition in French
Qui relève de l'intelligence ou de l'activité mentale, qualifiant une personne, une idée ou une œuvre axée sur la réflexion et l'analyse.
Word origin
French intellectuel developed from Latin intellectualis through the learned vocabulary of French and retains its link with intellectus, or understanding.
Usage tips
- Intellectuel can be a noun meaning an intellectual, while intelligent usually describes a person's ability rather than a commitment to reflective thought.
Other meanings
- culturedadjective
Opposites
- émotionnelemotionaladjective
- physiquephysicaladjective
Related words
- intellectuellementintellectuallyadverb
- intellectualismeintellectualismnoun
- intellectualiserintellectualizeverb